Monaco 1668 1/12 ecu
This specimen was lot 1606 in Jean Elsen sale 150 (Brussels, March 2022), where it sold for €240 (about US$318 including buyer's fees). The catalog description[1] noted,
"MONACO, Louis Ier Grimaldi (1662-1701), AR luigino, 1668. Imitation du douzième d'écu d'Anne-Marie d'Orléans, princesse de Dombes. D/ PLACET ET POLLERE VIDETVR B. dr. à d. R/ IPSOQVE FIT VTILIS VSV Ecu aux trois lis couronné. Rare. Superbe à Fleur de Coin. (principality of Monaco, Louis Grimaldi, 1662-1701, silver luigino of 1668, imitation of a twelfth écu of Dombes. Obverse: draped bust right; reverse: crowned arms with three lilies. Rare, Extremely Fine - Uncirculated.)"
The prince of Monaco issued an extensive series of coinage, from copper double tournois to one écu, mostly imitations of the neighboring French coinage. Today, it is all scarce to rare altho, as always, the crowns obtain the highest prices. This coin, if it really is KM 41.1 (there is no photo in the SCWC), is an unlisted date. This denomination was last struck in 1681.
Recorded mintage: unknown.
Specification: 2.29 g, 0.917 fine silver, 37-38 mm diameter; this specimen 2,17 g.
Catalog reference: KM 41.1?, Cammarano 278; Gad-77.
- Cuhaj, George S., and Thomas Michael, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1601-1700, 6th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2014.
- [1]Elsen, Philippe, et al., Vente Publique 150: Collection J.F.L. Blankenberg, Monnaies de l'Orient Latin, Brussels: Jean Elsen et ses Fils S.A., 2022.
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